Collections
Tennis
In 1885 the first season of tennis was played on a court next to the old Courthouse. As recorded in the Waikato Times 14 May 1885 – ‘At the commencement of the season there was…
Read MoreArchaeology
Throughout the Cambridge district there are approximately 80 archaeological sites. There are pa, borrow pits, redoubts, flour mills, a mission station and a battle site. The New Zealand Archaeological Association Inc have listed these sites…
Read MoreBuckingham Photography Collection, 1960s -1980s
From the 1960s, over a period of nearly thirty years, Reg Buckingham was unrivalled as a photojournalist of Cambridge events and scenes. Today, his images are considered of national importance and can be found in…
Read MoreNegatives
The world’s first negative on paper was taken by Fox Talbot in August 1835. It was a view of a window at his home, Lacock Abbey, England. What an amazing window he opened. George Eastman…
Read MoreArbor Day
A mention was made in 1905 that Arbor Day of late had been celebrated almost solely by Civil Servants and school children. It was claimed that the decline of Arbor Day was because the date…
Read MoreArmed Constabulary Act
1867 the Armed Constabulary Act was passed in New Zealand and the Waikato Militia disbanded. An Armed Constabulary Officer wore a peakless blue cloth cap with silver lace band 1¾” (45 mm) wide, a blue…
Read MoreCambridge and Waikato Reed Band
“Minutes of a meeting held 16 May 1877 in the Orderly Room [of the Armed Constabulary redoubt] at Cambridge for the purpose of forming a band. Fourteen gentlemen were present. Proposed by Mr Brennan and…
Read MoreBomb Shelter
A concrete ‘bunker’ halfway down the ‘Buckland Track‘ in the Cambridge Domain and a large depression in the ground behind the old railway station, are all that remain – other than the stories of the…
Read MoreCambridge Bowling Club
The first game of bowls in Cambridge was probably played on Martin McDermott’s lawn in Queen Street in October 1898. In December 1899, the Domain Board gave the Club permission to play in the Domain…
Read MoreBrewery (Empire Street)
The brewery in Brewery (now Empire) Street provided a service to the district for many years producing vats of pure amber beer and cordial. In the 1940s it was suggested as an air raid shelter…
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